Women’s health is a vast field encompassing areas including menstruation, menopause, childbirth, and beyond. In recent years, there has been a surge of innovation and technological advancements in women’s healthcare, with innovative start-ups often driving this progress.
From smart bras to at-home ultrasound systems, start-ups are contributing new and exciting products to the women’s health space. This list rounds up our top 10 women’s health start-ups, all of whom have contributed significantly to the rapidly advancing field of women’s health.
1. Livia
Livia is a MedTech startup that aims to provide a drug-free alternative for managing menstrual pain. The Livia device is a small wearable that uses electronic pulses to target and alleviate menstrual cramps. The device works by transmitting gentle electrical signals through electrodes attached to the skin in the lower abdominal area. These electrical pulses help to block pain signals, effectively reducing the sensation of cramps.
One of the key advantages of Livia is its non-invasive nature. Unlike traditional pain relief methods such as over-the-counter medications, Livia does not involve the consumption of drugs or chemicals. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who prefer to avoid painkillers or who may experience adverse side effects from medication.
Livia is also designed to be discreet and easy to use. The device features a sleek and compact design, allowing users to wear it underneath clothing.
Founder: Chen Nachum
2. Volpara Health
Volpara Health is a leading MedTech company that specialises in breast cancer screening and personalised breast care solutions. Their advanced software technologies aim to improve breast cancer detection, patient outcomes, and clinical workflows.
They focus on providing quantitative breast density assessments and analytics for enhanced breast cancer screening and patient care. The company offers innovative software solutions that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to analyse mammographic images and deliver valuable insights to healthcare professionals.
By empowering healthcare providers and patients with accurate assessments, decision support, and personalised care, Volpara aims to make a significant impact on breast cancer detection. This allows doctors to catch breast cancer in its early stages. Volpara’s software is used in over 2,000 facilities by more than 5,600 technologists, improving the lives of nearly 15 million patients globally.
Founder: Dr. Ralph Highnam
3. Inne
Inne is the world’s first at-home fertility monitoring system, using the saliva of its users to give valuable insights into their fertility, menstrual cycles, and overall hormonal health. The Inne tracker is a portable device that works by analysing hormone levels. It can be conveniently carried anywhere.
The Inne app is a companion to the device. It allows users to sync their data and provides personalised insights based on the hormone measurements. The app tracks cycles, predicts fertile days, and offers recommendations based on the user’s goals.
In addition to fertility tracking, Inne aims to provide women with knowledge about their bodies and hormonal health. The app offers educational content and resources on topics such as reproductive health, menstrual cycles, and hormonal balance.
Founder: Eirini Rapti
4. Flo
Flo is a popular period tracking and menstrual health app that offers a comprehensive range of features to help individuals monitor and understand their menstrual cycle. With over 150 million users worldwide, Flo has gained recognition for its user-friendly interface, personalised insights, and educational resources.
At its core, Flo allows users to track their menstrual cycle, providing a simple and intuitive way to log period start and end dates, flow intensity, and symptoms. The app uses advanced algorithms to analyse the logged data and provides users with valuable information about their menstrual and reproductive health. It offers insights into menstrual symptoms, potential hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle factors that may impact overall well-being.
Flo has also introduced several additional features to cater to specific needs. These include tracking options for symptoms related to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.
Founders: Dmitry Gurski and Yuri Gurski
5. Gennev
Gennev is the largest virtual clinic for menopausal care. It is a telemedicine and online resource platform that focuses on menopause and perimenopause. They offer personalised telehealth consultations with menopause specialists, providing women with the opportunity to discuss their symptoms, concerns, and treatment options in a comfortable and convenient manner.
Through these consultations, women can receive expert guidance on managing menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and more.
In addition to telehealth consultations, Gennev provides a wealth of online resources, including articles, guides, and educational materials. Their website features a blog covering various topics related to menopause, perimenopause, and women’s health. The content is written by experts in the field and aims to empower women with knowledge and information to navigate this phase of life with confidence.
Founder: Jill Angelo
6. Perifit
Quartet
Perifit is a startup that specialises in pelvic floor health. Their device, also called Perifit, is designed to help women exercise and strengthen their pelvic floor muscles effectively. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help improve bladder control, reduce the risk of urinary incontinence, and provide benefits for women who have recently given birth.
The Perifit device is a small, wireless device that connects to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. Its sensors detect and measure the strength and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. The device is made from medical-grade silicone, ensuring safety and comfort during use.
Perifit provides a mobile app which guides users through interactive games and exercises that are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. As users contract and relax their pelvic floor muscles, they control various activities in the games, making the exercises engaging and motivating.
Founders: Artem Rodionov and Cyril Haoudi
7. Cyrcadia Health
Cyrcadia Health is a MedTech company focused on breast health and early breast cancer detection. They have developed a unique wearable device called the iTBra that uses cutting-edge technology to monitor and analyse breast tissue for the early detection of breast cancer.
The Cyrcadia Breast Monitor comprises two comfortable and wearable breast patches that are able to detect circadian temperature changes within breast tissue over time. This data is then securely transmitted to Cyrcadia Health’s core lab for analysis, maintaining anonymity.
Using machine learning and predictive analytic software, along with a set of algorithms, Cyrcadia Health’s solution identifies and classifies abnormal circadian patterns in healthy breast tissue. Once the data is received, Cyrcadia Health delivers precise, consistent, and automated results to healthcare providers.
Founder: Jim Holmes, Matt Benardis, Rob Royea
8. Willow
Willow has developed a line of smart breast pumps that are designed to be worn inside a bra, allowing mothers to pump hands-free and wirelessly. The pumps are compact, lightweight, and designed to fit seamlessly into a nursing bra, providing a discreet and comfortable pumping experience.
With no external tubes or cords, Willow enables nursing mothers to pump on the go, without being tethered to a wall outlet or a bulky pump. This freedom allows moms to continue with their daily activities, whether they’re at work, running errands, or caring for their baby.
The Willow breast pumps use proprietary technology to create a suction pattern that mimics a baby’s natural sucking motion. This innovation aims to provide a more efficient and comfortable pumping experience.
The pumps are equipped with smart features such as an intuitive touch interface and a mobile app that allows users to track pumping sessions, milk volume, and pumping history. The app also provides personalised tips and insights to support breastfeeding success.
Founder: Naomi Kelman
9. PulseNmore
PulseNmore has developed a handheld, wireless ultrasound device called PocketDoc. This device enables pregnant women to perform self-ultrasounds at home, providing convenience and accessibility to prenatal care.
With PocketDoc, pregnant women can connect the device to their smartphones or tablets via a wireless connection. The mobile app guides users through the ultrasound process, providing step-by-step instructions on how to capture ultrasound images and videos of their unborn baby.
The captured ultrasound images and videos can be securely shared with healthcare providers remotely through the app. This feature allows healthcare professionals to review the ultrasound scans, monitor foetal development, and provide necessary guidance or reassurance to pregnant women without requiring them to visit the clinic or hospital for routine ultrasounds.
Founder: Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein
10. Bloomer Tech
Traditional wearable devices often lack the sensitivity and accuracy required for precise monitoring in the female population. Bloomer Tech addresses this gap by developing a wearable solution that considers the unique physiology and health needs of women.
The Bloomer Tech smart bra offers a discreet and comfortable way to monitor women’s health throughout the day. The bra is designed with embedded textile-based sensors that seamlessly collect data without compromising comfort or style. The sensors are strategically placed to capture accurate readings, ensuring reliable monitoring of vital signs.
The collected data can be analysed to detect patterns, identify anomalies, and track changes over time. This information can be used for various applications, including cardiovascular health monitoring, early detection of abnormalities, and overall wellness tracking. This data can be transmitted wirelessly to a companion app or cloud-based platform for further analysis and visualisation.
Users can access their health data, view trends, and receive actionable recommendations to support their well-being. Healthcare providers can also benefit from the comprehensive data provided by Bloomer Tech’s smart bra, enabling more informed decision-making and personalised healthcare management.
Founders: Aceil Halaby, Alicia Chong Rodriguez, and Monica Abarca
